The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has today announced the appointments to its new Scientific Committee which will provide expert scientific advice on all aspects of food safety and nutrition. The Scientific Committee will serve a five-year term and consists of 15 members appointed by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly T.D. A statutory body under the FSAI Act, 1998, the Scientific Committee focuses on a range of topics that can benefit public health and food safety policies. Its work provides expert scientific analysis on food safety risk assessments, risk management options and nutritional content of food.
Assisting the FSAI in developing scientific advice and recommendations, the Scientific Committee comprises of scientists from a variety of backgrounds, working voluntarily. Its predecessor produced a range of scientific opinions on areas including safe cooking temperatures for minced beef burgers; healthy eating guidelines for all ages of the population in Ireland; and guidance on the upper intake level and maximum safe level for vitamins and minerals in food supplements. Where deemed appropriate, sub-committees are formed to examine specific areas of interest.
Commenting on the appointment of the new Scientific Committee, Dr Wayne Anderson, Director, Food Science and Standards, FSAI, stated that access to the highest calibre of expert scientific advice and knowledge is indispensable for sound decision-making.The term of the new Scientific Committee is from 25 February 2021 to 25 February 2026